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Long-lived Paleoproterozoic eclogitic lower crust

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Buntin

    (Uppsala University)

  • Irina M. Artemieva

    (Stanford University
    GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research
    China University of Geosciences)

  • Alireza Malehmir

    (Uppsala University)

  • Hans Thybo

    (China University of Geosciences
    Istanbul Technical University)

  • Michal Malinowski

    (Polish Academy of Sciences)

  • Karin Högdahl

    (Uppsala University)

  • Tomasz Janik

    (Polish Academy of Sciences)

  • Stefan Buske

    (Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg)

Abstract

The nature of the lower crust and the crust-mantle transition is fundamental to Earth sciences. Transformation of lower crustal rocks into eclogite facies is usually expected to result in lower crustal delamination. Here we provide compelling evidence for long-lasting presence of lower crustal eclogite below the seismic Moho. Our new wide-angle seismic data from the Paleoproterozoic Fennoscandian Shield identify a 6–8 km thick body with extremely high velocity (Vp ~ 8.5–8.6 km/s) and high density (>3.4 g/cm3) immediately beneath equally thinned high-velocity (Vp ~ 7.3–7.4 km/s) lowermost crust, which extends over >350 km distance. We relate this observed structure to partial (50–70%) transformation of part of the mafic lowermost crustal layer into eclogite facies during Paleoproterozoic orogeny without later delamination. Our findings challenge conventional models for the role of lower crustal eclogitization and delamination in lithosphere evolution and for the long-term stability of cratonic crust.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Buntin & Irina M. Artemieva & Alireza Malehmir & Hans Thybo & Michal Malinowski & Karin Högdahl & Tomasz Janik & Stefan Buske, 2021. "Long-lived Paleoproterozoic eclogitic lower crust," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26878-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26878-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gaochun Wang & Hans Thybo & Irina M. Artemieva, 2021. "No mafic layer in 80 km thick Tibetan crust," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Oliver Jagoutz & Mark D. Behn, 2013. "Foundering of lower island-arc crust as an explanation for the origin of the continental Moho," Nature, Nature, vol. 504(7478), pages 131-134, December.
    3. A. Levander & B. Schmandt & M. S. Miller & K. Liu & K. E. Karlstrom & R. S. Crow & C.-T. A. Lee & E. D. Humphreys, 2011. "Continuing Colorado plateau uplift by delamination-style convective lithospheric downwelling," Nature, Nature, vol. 472(7344), pages 461-465, April.
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